Ed: One of the important things that we were taught during Wood Badge Training was to always make sure you have a Song In Your Pocket. This philosophy applies to leaders so that they are ready to help out whenever the need comes up, but it is just as important for all Scouts to have a Song in Their Pocket-just in case! This opening emphasizes the importance of having a song in your pocket.

Narrator: Tonight's theme is "Pockets." What good are pockets? Well there are the obvious good uses of pockets, like holding you Cub Scout Registration and, if you're a Bear Scout or older, to hold your Whittlin' Chip. And you hold your Den Dues and important notes your Den Leader sends home with you. But there is another really good use for a pocket, that you might not have ever considered. You should always have a song in your pocket. What, a song in your pocket? What does that mean?

Well it means you should always have a way to turn the bad into good or have an idea that can keep things lively, and what better way is there than to always have a song ready-ready to sing, or whistle, or hum. Tonight, to begin our Pack Meeting, I have a song in my pocket. [Reaches in pocket and pulls out a paper.] Let's all stand and join together in singing "My Country 'Tis Of Thee."

Welcome Back
York Adams Council

Eight Cub Scouts stand side by side. In turn each steps forward and recites his assigned verse.

Another year is starting
And we'd like to welcome you.
And tell you what our purpose is
And what we hope to do.

Cub Scouts is a group of boys.
It helps us grow up strong.
And teaches us to do what's right
And fight against what's wrong.

It shows us how much we can do
If we just work as a team.
Then we'll have fun and jobs won't be
As hard as they first seemed.

We'll go on hikes and field trips
To learn of nature's wonders.
So we'll respect her when we're grown
And not make any blunders.

And we'll be shown in many ways
That each man is our brother;
And we will see the joy there is
In helping one another.

We'll learn to be good citizens
And, hopefully, we'll see
That laws are made for everyone
So each one can be free.

To do all this the Cub Scouts need
Good leaders; this is true.
That means we'll need the help of all
Of you, and you, and you!
[Cubs point to everyone in the audience]

And now to start the year off right
In good and proper manner,
We'd like you all to rise and sing
Our own "Star Spangled Banner."

-1987-88 Program Helps

Opening Ceremony
Trapper Trails

Preparation: You will need each boy to have one of the following in his pockets: a frog (plastic, unless you are brave), dirt, marbles, rocks, and a small flag. Have boys practice their parts ahead of time.

Cubmaster or Den Leader: Have you ever wondered what boys keep in their pockets and why? Let's see what we can find out tonight.

Boy l (pulls out frog): This frog reminds me of freedom of speech, he can croak all he wants and no one stops him.

Boy 2 (pulls out dirt): This dirt reminds me of our forefathers as they put their feet on American sod for the first time.

Boy 3 (pulls out marbles): These marbles remind me of the pilgrims as they worked and played in this new land of freedom.

Boy 4-(pulls out small flag): This flag stands for our country will you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I Made A Promise
Denver Area Council

Cub #1: I made a promise. I said that whatever I did, I would do the best I could.

Cub #2: I made a promise to serve my God and my country the best I could.

Cub #3: I made a promise to help other people the best I could.

Cub #4: I made a promise to obey the Law of the Pack the best I could.

Cubs #5: I have done my best. I will do my best, because I am the best, I am a Cub Scout.

Den Leader: Will everyone now join us in repeating the Cub Scout Promise.

Materials found in Baloo's Bugle may be used by Scouters for Scouting activities provided that Baloo's Bugle and the original contributors are cited as the source of the material.